The Lady of Fairhaven by Lee Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

the stream.”
    Not willing to wait to saddle his horse, Luke immediately jumped on the back of the large animal. Sidestepping away from the horses tied together, the big horse nodded his thick neck as Luke applied pressure on the reins. The animal’s energy urged a steady pace along the stream.
    Luke and Simon first rode to the small stream. Seeing no evidence of women bathing sent a wave of fear through Luke. “The women should never have been allowed away without an escort,” he shouted. Although he knew it would cost the party precious time to search, he could not leave them vulnerable to danger.
    The hillsides closed in along the brook leaving few paths to walk. Skirts and petticoats left a wide distinctive trail in their wake. Small crushed grasses and broken twigs might as well have sent out an invitation to follow.
    Luke knew nothing of this woman, but her vulnerability plucked at his heart strings, and he had an overpowering desire to protect her. She had managed to make her way along when suffering greatly. Her courage and strength were admirable. He had no interest in fluffy minded women who frequently fainted and cried. Why did the feeling of need hit him so hard when he saw Lady Anne?
    Steep hillsides forced him to dismount. “I’ll continue on foot,” he shouted back to his companion. Both men tied their horses to a nearby sapling. The stallion shook his head in protest, but soon found some clumps of grass to catch his interest. Luke continued on. Almost immediately, he found something that made him stop. Bending over, he picked up a scrap of torn chemise snagged on a bramble. But before he could examine it, the frantic bark of a distant dog drew his attention.
    Luke followed the noise along an ever rising and treacherous path following the stream. If not for the silken scrap of chemise and the barking dog, he never would have believed the ladies would have dared choosing this route. With no real path to follow, each step over loose rock proved difficult. After rounding a bend, and just behind some trees, the knight found Dog, or rather Dog found him.
    The animal scampered over the talus sending dust floating into the air in its wake. The frantic barking reverberated off the steep canyon sides. Upon seeing Luke, the dog hunkered down on his forelegs, continuing its ceaseless noise. Once Luke had reached the dog, it swiftly turned and made its way along the winding valley, turning constantly to make sure he was being followed.
    Luke started after the animal. Clearly, the pet would never leave his mistress unless there was some trouble. Luke’s heart raced at the thought of her coming to harm. Foolishly, she had set out on a dangerous journey, but an admiration for her pluck jolted him. What lady would leave the protection of a knight to travel alone without sufficient provisions?
    While he pondered what situation had set these women away from their home and family, he spotted the Lady sitting on a ledge with her maid leaning down from an outcropping above.
    Obviously, the Lady was in pain. Luke’s heart jumped in response to seeing this woman in distress. He quickly charged up the slope. Luke had noticed that the Lady’s breathing was shallow and caught slightly if she moved. Strangely enough, fear widened Luke’s eyes as he approached her.
    Gillian crouched on the narrow ledge. Hugging on to her knees, her head rested against the stonewall. She watched Luke make his way over loose rocks in an attempt to reach her. She knew that once he freed her from this predicament, she would have no recourse but to travel back to her uncle. The thought of it made her shiver.
    Leaning over from above, Luke asked, “My Lady Anne, are you cold?”
    Gillian was momentarily confused but quickly remembered that she had taken her maid’s name. But she couldn’t quite remember what name the real Anne had taken. All the while she looked Luke steadily in the eye. “No, Sir Luke,” she finally said. “I’m afraid my